Page 119 of Princess of Pride
“Do you know who they are?” I have an idea about whothey might be, but I can’t bring myself to admit it. It would mean I did this to myself and not even Adelaide or Kingston can save me.
Bran cleans his glasses on his shirt and puts them back on. “I have a feeling about who they might be. I haven’t met them personally, but they’ve been to the village to visit Lady Caldwell before she passed, and more recently to see her heir, Lachlan Ashford. They’re part of the MacReid family. The bad part.”
Angus. Tremors rattle my entire body. “Do you have a phone?” My voice is thin.
“Wouldn’t work down here even if I did.”
And I threw mine out. If I had it, Lachlan could track me and save me—save us. This man deserves to be rescued as much as I do. “Why would Maisie do this?” I ask. “She seemed hurt and mad but harmless.”
“My guess is it was her way out of here. She never connected with anyone after her parents died.”
“She connected with you.” I shuffle to the couch and sit on the opposite end, hugging myself against an inner chill that keeps building.
Bran digs in a nearby box and hands me a blanket.
“Thanks.” I wrap it around my shoulders.
“I knew Maisie’s dad. I met him on a flight to Inverness. He told me about this town and village. Sold me on it so much I had to see it for myself. I fell in love with the tranquility and moved out here a year before he and his wife passed away. They would come over with Maisie for dinner and cards. Good people. I kept inviting her after they died, and she kept coming. When Ewan died, she grew distant. I haven’t seen her in a while. I thought it might have been her when the MacReids showed up.”
“Angus, right?”
“The red head. I believe he called the other man Munro.” He blinks at me confused. “How do you know Maisie?”
“I don’t. I…” How to explain?
“You’re Mr. Ashford’s wife, aren’t you?” Bran asks, and I nod. “I thought I recognized you. Your picture is on the village website and in the local paper. Did something happen to him? Is that how she was able to bring you here?”
It takes me a moment to answer. “No. Um… I… I left.” Stupid girl.
“Does Mr. Ashford know where you are?”
I lower my chin on the verge of tears and shake my head. “I ran away.”
Bran lets out a heavy sigh. “And Maisie helped you.” He’s not asking.
“It was last minute and dumb. The dumbest thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t know Angus was here. Lachlan doesn’t know either.” Unless he does and he didn’t care that I escaped. That’s why he didn’t text me. He wasn’t tracking me. He let me go. But then why have so much security at the pub? For show, so I’d think he cares? I don’t understand that man at all. I obviously don’t know him.
I cover my eyes with my hand, refusing to cry over Lachlan—the only person who could have saved me. “I brought this on myself, and now, I’ll pay for it.”
“I don’t know about that.”
I glance up.
Bran flicks his gaze to the ceiling. “These men arrived a few days ago. They had this set up already—perhaps even Maisie’s involvement. Men like this always have networks and a plan at the ready. Who connected you with Maisie?”
Tessa. I suck in a breath. Does she know about this? Is she behind it? Why set me up with Maisie? She did it so quickly too. Could Tessa be a mole for Angus? What if Lachlan is indanger? My breath turns frantic again. I shouldn’t care about him anymore. He betrayed me. He doesn’t love me. He’s not capable of love, and here, I’m worried about him. This must be some form of Stockholm syndrome.
“What are the chances of anyone finding us?”
His frown is answer enough. “I travel for work. I’m not around a lot, and when I am I prefer solitude. It’s why I chose to live out here. I doubt anyone knows I’m even in town.”
“But Lachlan could connect Maisie to you, right?” He has to.
A bang as loud as an explosion sounds upstairs. I flinch and stare at the basement door, my heart at the back of my throat.
Gun shots fire. I scream and cover my ears. Bran puts his arm around me and moves me to crouch behind the couch. Oh my god. We’re going to die.
Crashing sounds then more gun shots ring out as if they’re firing through the ceiling and into this room.
